The closed cannabis supply chain experiment
Coffeeshop Headlines is a permitted coffeeshop in Zaandam. Zaanstad is one of ten municipalities taking part in the closed cannabis supply chain experiment. As a result, Headlines falls under the rules and conditions of this experiment and sells only regulated cannabis products.
What is the experiment?
The closed cannabis supply chain experiment is a government trial examining whether a closed chain of production, distribution and sale of cannabis is possible, and what effect that has on crime, safety, nuisance and public health.
Until this experiment, sale in coffeeshops was tolerated while purchasing was not regulated. Within the experiment that chain is regulated: from cultivation to counter.
Which municipalities take part?
Ten municipalities have been designated, including Zaanstad. In a participating municipality, participation is not optional: all permitted coffeeshops there take part by law. It is therefore not a choice and not a mark of quality, but a consequence of location.
What does "closed chain" mean?
Only government-designated growers may produce. Products are registered and tracked from grower to coffeeshop, so their origin can be traced at any time. Supervision lies with the NVWA, among others.
What does this mean for Headlines?
Since the start of the experimental phase, participating coffeeshops may sell only cannabis products from the regulated chain. Products that do not meet the requirements of the experiment may not be sold. All other conditions still apply in full: no sale to minors, no alcohol, no hard drugs, no nuisance and no advertising.
Important to know
Participation means production, supply and sale are regulated under conditions. It does not mean cannabis use is legal, safe or recommended by the government. Information about risks is on the Responsible use page.
More information
For a detailed, factual article see The Dutch cannabis experiment explained in our knowledge section. Official information is available from the Government of the Netherlands.